Budget boost for 'security and opportunity', says Anderton

3.00pm

The Alliance is touting its "Security and Opportunity" measures included in today's Budget.

Alliance leader and Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton said the opportunity components included:

* The three programmes: "World Class New Zealanders", "Creating a Culture of Success" and "Supporting Promising Individuals" to invest in talented New Zealanders,

* Greater support for businesses to win contracts from the New Zealand and Australian Governments through an expanded Industrial Supplies Office,

* A Jobs for Students initiative to be unveiled in July.

Security components included:

* A package of sentencing and parole reforms, rehabilitative measures aimed at reducing re-offending and funding for two new prisons,

* A commitment to introduce paid parental leave in the next financial year,

* A youth suicide prevention strategy.

Mr Anderton said the Alliance's ideas were incorporated into a fiscally responsible Budget that would produce more jobs and rising incomes.